Commision versus Tips

Okay, for those that have an opinion (none of you I'm sure) what's the proper place for each?

How about in the casino industry. If you currently make tips, would you rather make a percentage on the casino's take so even if your table is full of skinflints, but otherwise are big spenders you're going to do well that day.

There's a downside and upside to each. And in some cases there may not be a real option to switch, if tipping is just not seen as a custom in that area (since it's voluntary).

First off, good original question. This site can recycle subjects very easily.

As a player I'd have a big problem with the dealers having a direct take on money I lose. I know that this would lead to very little funny business, but it just makes my skin crawl. Also, the American in me likes tipping even if it's expected AND if the casino gave their workers a cut instead of tips that would lead to worse games (I wonder about this one because it's logical but in countries where tipping is not expected they can have single 0 roulette... higher minimums instead?).

Entirely hypothetical:
As a dealer I would probably prefer taking part of the casino's take. It would let me do my job better because I wouldn't have to worry about getting stiffed by anyone. On the other hand, this would take away any incentive left (when pooling tips instead of keeping my own) to provide a better service than my peer.

The key word is incentive.
Sure sharing tips dilutes the amount of the incentive but it doesn't dilute the value of it because there is always the hope that remains. Sure everyone thinks that they bring in all the tokes whereas everyone else is deadwood. Sure everyone has occasional "off days" but with a tip system even one with some real dilution to it, the system generally works. Dealers stay alert, they stay animated, they are mentally "there" rather than bored stiff and annoyed by all the customers. Cheaters get spotted sooner, mistakes don't get made as often and get corrected more promptly, players get encouraged more, smiles are more sincere, advice more often given and more relevant to the particular players. You can argue all you want about whether its morally good or morally bad, but the clear evidence is that the tip system works. Call it a carry-over from European feudal class-oriented society if you want to. Call tips insulting if you want to. Say anything that you want to, but have a tip system in place if you want to have a profitable casino.

Its the tip system that keeps the darned dealers on their toes rather than becoming senseless automatons. Whether they are on salary or sensitively adjusted commissions related to the casino's net, it still amounts to a lack of real incentive.

That first make of BenHur was done when a teamster in the film industry would make anywhere from 5,000 to 7,500 in a good year. When the Director wasn't getting a good race scene, he sent everyone back to the start line and told them: Every man across that finish line gets a handshake, but the first man across it also gets a check for 5,000.00. There was only one more take for that Chariot Race scene. And it was a darn good film. They were all good teamsters but given the proper incentive they all became cut-throat Roman charioteers. Undiluted incentives work.

You absolutely do not want the dealers to have a vested interest in the outcome of a bet. Aside from the difficulty a dealer would have concealing his disgust at a big player win or his delight at a big player loss, commissions on wins would give dealers a VAST incentive to cheat. And the casinos, for the most part, want to deal a fair and honest game.